Question

Composition of the nuclei of two atomic species X and Y are given as under

X Y

Protons = 6 6

Neutrons = 6 8

Give the mass numbers of X and Y. What is the relation between the two species?

Answer 1

Mass number of X = Number of protons + Number of neutrons

= 6 + 6

= 12

Mass number of Y = Number of protons + Number of neutrons

= 6 + 8

= 14

These two atomic species X and Y have the same atomic number, but different mass numbers. Hence, they are isotopes.